Internationale groepsreis Wild Bulgaria: Winter Walk & Snowshoe

Start Sofia Airport

Start at Sofia Airport (Terminal 2) where you will be met by your leader and
transferred east across the Thracian Plain to the historic city of Plovdiv
where we will spend the first night.
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2

Walking tour of old Plovdiv, transfer to Rodopi mountains stopping at
Bachkovo Monastery; gentle walk in the valley behind and on to Yagodina

After breakfast, we will have a short walk around the old part of Plovdiv,
seeing some of the main sights such as the Roman theatre, stadium and
beautifully preserved merchants’ houses. Then, having bought ourselves some
picnic food, we drive south into the Rodopi Mountains and begin our
explorations with a visit to one of the most sacred sites in Bulgaria, the
Bachkovo Monastery. The largest and most atmospheric monasteries in the
country, we enjoy a glimpse into the seemingly timeless monastic world of the
Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and have a chance to admire some of the most
outstanding examples of religious art in the country. As well as visiting the
monastery itself, we will also enjoy a gentle walk (2 hours) in the tranquil
valley behind, a nature reserve that shelters several picturesque chapels. In
the afternoon we drive on into the heart of the Rodopi Mountains, briefly
stopping off at the village of Shiroka Laka, an architectural reserve that
preserves a picturesque church and some fine examples of local vernacular
architecture. Completing our transfer, we then arrive at the remote village
of Yagodina, seemingly located at the end of the world in a rugged karst
region. Here we will be based for the next four nights in a comfortable
family-run hotel that is renowned for its hospitality and delicious
traditional food.
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3

Walk or snowshoe up to ridge behind the village to 'Eagle's Eye' viewpoint
for fabulous views over the mountains; evening cookery lesson.

Setting off on foot from the hotel, we will climb steadily up onto the broad
open ridge that rises directly north of the village. Here on the cliffs at
the westernmost end we will find an amazing viewpoint known as the
‘Eagle’s Eye’, from which there is a breathtaking view down into the
depths of the Buynovo Gorge. The cliffs are the haunt of Peregrine Falcon,
and occasionally Golden Eagles can also be seen soaring overhead. Resuming
our walk (3-4 hours), we then head east along the ridge, being rewarded with
a succession of stunning winter panoramas that stretch out over the village
and across the seemingly unending folds and forests of the Rodopi Mountains.
Having returned to the hotel, we will then receive a cookery lesson, and have
an opportunity to prepare ourselves a traditional Rodopi dish that will then
be served up as part of our dinner.
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4

Transfer to 'Devil's Throat' cave in Trigrad Gorge for exploration; snowshoe
back to Yagodina, stopping at Yagodina Cave.

The focus of todays’ exploration is the amazing subterranean world of the
Trigrad-Yagodina karst region. During the day we will visit two of the most
famous caves in Bulgaria, and discover more about their formation as well as
the fascinating creatures that live within. Beginning at the dramatic Trigrad
Gorge, we first visit the so-called ‘Devil’s Throat’ Cave, an enormous
chasm containing a thundering waterfall and underground river. This is the
cave from which Orpheus is said to have emerged after his fateful trip to the
Underworld. However, today the cave is renowned as one of the most important
hibernating sites in Europe for Schreiber’s Bent-winged Bat which is found
here in colonies numbering several thousand, accompanied by smaller numbers
of Long-fingered Bat. Having emerged from the cave, we then make our way back
towards Yagodina on foot (3 hours), skirting around the Durdaga massif
through prime Brown Bear habitat. At this time of the year, the bears are
normally tucked away sleeping in their dens, but if the weather is
unseasonably mild, then they often awake from hibernation, and we may come
across their tracks. Our hike finishes at the Yagodina Cave, internationally
renowned for its great variety of cave formations. We will spend about an
hour walking through the cave learning about the different speleothems, and
also keeping our eyes open for hibernating Greater Horseshoe and Lesser
Horseshoe Bat.
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5

Head out into the surrounding forests to experience this wild region, home to
boar, deer and the grey wolf; late afternoon visit to ethnographic museum,
evening demonstration of folk dancing.

Leaving the hotel on foot, we set off on an exciting walk (4-5 hours) into
the lonely wilds of the surrounding forests. Often this part of the mountains
experiences significant snowfall in winter, so it is likely we will need to
use snowshoes in places to help us break a trail. Our route leads us into a
remote region that in winter becomes the realm of the Grey Wolf, and we will
keep our eyes open for any signs of their presence, as well as look out for
the tracks of other animals such as Wild Boar, Roe Deer, Brown Hare and Red
Squirrel. The silent forests also shelter a variety of interesting birds, and
if we are lucky we may encounter species such as Black Woodpecker, Hazel
Grouse and Crested Tit. Finally, having made our way across the mountains to
the village of Trigrad, we will be picked up by our bus and driven back to
Yagodina. Before dinner, we will be able to visit the village ethnographic
museum, and see some of the traditional handicrafts that are still used and
manufactured by the locals. Later in the evening, some of the village ladies
will come to the hotel and, as well us entertaining us with traditional
songs, will also teach us some of the local folkdances, thus bringing a
lively close to our stay in Yagodina!
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6

Transfer to Devin, meet local guides and set off tracking local species such
as the Balkan Chamois and Mouflon.

Leaving the village of Yagodina, we have a short drive to the nearby town of
Devin. Here, in the mountains surrounding the town, we will meet up with
guides from the local game reserve and spend several hours trying to track,
observe and photograph a variety of elusive animals such as Wild Boar, Balkan
Chamois, Mouflon, Roe Deer and Red Deer. Our exciting forest safari will be
partly on foot and partly in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Later in the
afternoon, you can then thaw out and soothe away any tired and aching muscles
in the warm mineral waters of our hotel swimming pool; or if you are feeling
especially self-indulgent, perhaps treat yourself to a massage or other
treatment in the hotel spa.
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7

Follow the Devinska Reka Valley along the eco trail along the water's edge;
afternoon transfer across Thracian Plain to Sofia.

After breakfast, we will spend the morning walking (2 hours) along the valley
of the Devinska Reka, following a specially constructed eco-trail that sticks
close to the water’s edge. The sparkling stream is home to Otter and a
habitat for typical riverine birds such as White-throated Dipper, Kingfisher
and Grey Wagtail. Finally, having checked out of the hotel and bought
yourself something for lunch in the town of Devin, we then start the transfer
back to Sofia, a long but interesting journey that first takes us through the
dramatic Krichim Gorge, then out into the Thracian Plain. The final night of
the holiday is at a hotel in the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
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8

End Sofia.

Depending on flight schedules, there should be time for a short sightseeing
tour of Sofia’s main sites, before driving on to the airport for departure.
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